Never under-estimate what a small group of concerned citizens can do!
We told the Board of Supervisors we were moving our message outside of “listening sessions” and “Board Chambers.”
On Wednesday, February 23rd, at 11 am – in the middle of a winter’s day blessed with rare spring-like weather – citizens gathered in front of QTS Data Centers (recently acquired by Blackstone), at their facility in Innovation Park, Manassas.
Citizens were there to say that QTS’ message of “sustainability” cannot be upheld if QTS follows through with its plans to develop 800 acres along Pageland Lane for industrial data centers.
Our message is clear and our message is just.
We are will not stand silent as attempts are made to plunder our natural resources.
We WILL speak up loudly to protect the watersheds that supply clean water to the Occoquan Reservoir, a drinking water supply for 2.2 million people in the NOVA region.
We WILL speak up loudly to protect the Hallowed Ground in and around the Manassas Battlefield National Park – speaking up for those who suffered under slavery, speaking up for those who made new lives as emancipated Americans, speaking up for those that fought, and died, for the end of slavery.
We WILL speak up loudly against an outer beltway, slicing this county in half with massive tractor-trailer truck traffic stretching from eastern Woodbridge all the way to the western-most edge of Prince William County.
We are ONE Prince William. We will NOT be divided by cynical propaganda.
We do not have to sacrifice the future of our children for greed. The county’s 10,000 acre Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District was created to ensure sustainable development and to protect the quality of life for ALL citizens.
NBC4 – Activists rally against ‘Digital Gateway’ project
See some quick portions of the remarks delivered by citizens:
Video clip – Frank Washington closing remarks QTS press conference 022322
Video clip – Nancy Armour, Elena Schlossberg & Frank Washington, QTS press conference 022322
Video clip – Nicole Wilberg, Elena, Cecilia & Emily Fisher QTS press conference 022322
Video clip – Bill Wright QTS press conference 022322
Read their complete remarks:
Frank Washington complete remarks – QTS press conference 022322
Nancy Armour complete remarks – QTS press conference 022322
Nicole Wilberg complete remarks – QTS press conference 022322
Bill Wright complete remarks – QTS press conference 022322
More news:
InsideNoVa – ‘QTS DATA CENTERS … GO AWAY’ 022522
Fairfax County Dept. of Planning & Development – Comment on ‘Digital Gateway’ CPA 022322
Sierra Club Great Falls Group letter to PWC Board 021622
“UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better.
It’s not.” The Lorax